Invite Izzy

Learn it: Include on purpose. Walk toward the watcher.

How to use it:

1. Notice who is watching, not playing.
2. Leave the game for ten seconds.
3. Walk over. Use their name if you have it.
4. Say, “Want to join us?” plus a thumbs-up.
5. Make a real place — not a pity invite. If they say not yet, leave the door open.

Impact on you: You get brave enough to feel a little awkward. You become the person who opens circles.

Impact on others: The person at the edge does not have to take the first ten steps. They go from feeling invisible to having a real place — or a clear, kind door left open.

Collect it: Complete the 3 lessons. Print the certificate.

In school: first day at the bench · new classmate · empty partner desk · lunch table split · last pick · “everybody’s going” said in front of someone left off.

At home: cousin sitting out · sibling on the stairs during a hangout · quiet seat at a Family Kindness Meeting · friend who stopped coming over.

At play / on a team: fence-watcher · sideline after tryouts · closed “our game” circle · Welcome Mike waiting at the edge.

Online: group chat that forgot one person · iced thread · private invite, not a public call-out.

With friends: after-class plan · birthday or hangout list · “Want to join us?” before the circle walks away.

Make a small circle of 5–8 people. One person stands just outside as the watcher — not “the lonely kid,” just the next person in line.

1. The circle starts a simple game: toss a soft object, clap pattern, or thumbs-up count.
2. One player leaves for ten seconds, walks to the watcher, and says: “Want to join us?”
3. If yes, the circle opens a real space — not a squeeze at the back.
4. If not yet, the asker says: “Okay. The door stays open.” Then returns without a speech.
5. Rotate so everyone practices both sides: asking, and being asked.

Keep it kind and short. No secrets. No teasing the watcher. Do not role-play “the lonely kid.”

Lesson 1 · Basics of inviting · 15–20 minutes

School: Pair up. Name three edges without naming a person as lonely: bench, fence, empty desk, last pick. Practice the ten-second leave. Say Izzy’s line once to your partner. Switch.

Home: Notice one closed circle this week — a game, a show, a snack table. Practice the line out loud: “Want to join us?”

Collect it: The edge I noticed was ____. I almost stayed in the circle when ____. The line I practiced was ____.

Lesson 2 · Inviting when someone is near the circle · 15–20 minutes

The fork: “Want to join us?” is an ask, not a pull. Room for no is part of the skill.

School: One real small invite today — partner work, lunch seat, recess game, after-class plan. Use their name if you have it. Make a real place if they come.

Home: Invite a sibling, cousin, or friend into one real thing. If they join, give them a turn, a seat, or a job. If they need time, leave the door open.

Collect it: I asked ____. They said ____. The real place I made was ____.

Lesson 3 · Inviting when someone is left out · 15–20 minutes

Notice. Walk over. Use Izzy’s line. Wait. Do not announce them. Do not perform the rescue in front of the group. Get an adult if the circle feels unsafe.

School / home: One real Welcome Wave for someone at the edge — new student, bench, stairs, iced chat (private message). Optional: invite them into a site activity that already has a place ready, like a Hero Party, News Circle, or Family Kindness Meeting.

Collect it: I noticed ____. I asked. What changed was ____. If they needed time, I left the door open by ____. If I needed an adult, I would tell ____.

Safety note

Welcome Wave is an ask, not a pull. Leave room for no. Do not name someone as lonely in front of the group. Do not grab a wrist, bag, or phone to “include” them.

If a circle is being used to tease, trap, or harm, get a trusted adult. Inviting is not enough when someone is unsafe.

If someone is in crisis or immediate danger in Canada, call 911, USA 988. In other countries, use your local emergency number.